Playful, Open-Source Robot for Kids

We’re in a boom period for Arduino-based bots launched via Kickstarter! The latest is Voootex: a little white semicircle that can be driven remotely or programmed. The Voootex includes a speaker, proximity sensors, line following sensors, 12 RGB LEDs, two motor encoders. (It also has an extra letter O in its name for no clear reason, but is pronounced Vortex.)

Straight out of the box, kids can play a few games the robot, including a sumo-style competition that pits Voootex against Voootex. The tabletop bot, which runs on four AA batteries comes fully assembled, but roboticists should feel free to add components: the robot is open source. Equipped for Bluetooth 4.0, the robot and can be programmed using Scratch on an iPad.

Humans can pre-order their Voootex on Kickstarter for £45 and expect delivery in October 2015.